We're planning to take my mother and aunt on an Alaskan Cruise in late summer. We're doing the Princess Cruise Lines which we're hoping will be good. It was recommended highly by some very food friends.
Now comes a quandary. We're trying to figure out some ideas for those side trips when we're in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway because we've got a goodly amount of time there and I'm thinking just walking around might not be enough, even with the wheelchair (for my mom and aunt, just in case). We also have two 80+ ladies with bad knees so no hiking. And we all need the bathroom so no 3 hour rafting trip. My mother will never get on a helicopter so forget that one. Ummm... the cost is rather prohibitive too.
Has anybody gone on one of these cruises and can tell us what might be good?
Sounds wonderful! I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions.
ReplyDeletesorry never been there yet...I bet the cruise lines would have suggestions.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't, but I'll be watching here to see what other people come up with. I'll need it when I get ready to go there myself! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, we went to all three of these places on an NCL cruise several years ago. All three are great -- I suggest:
ReplyDeleteJuno -- whale watching and bus ride to the Mendenhall glacier.
Skagway -- bus trip to Yukon territory with a few stops along the way, and train ride back on famous White Horse Railroad.
Ketchikan -- we did a boat ride to a seal rookery/crab feast.
How great.. my hubby has always wanted to do that Kay...
ReplyDeleteThe White Pass and Yukon Railway is fabulous. I rode it some years ago, and Dick rode it when we took an Alaska cruise with Holland America (great service!) and we both loved it.
ReplyDeleteAs KathyA mentioned, the train trip can start in Skagway with a bus ride or end with one to take you back to the shp, although I rode it both ways. When Dick rode it, I was at the Yukon end with friends in a car to pick him up. You can check the shore excursions available from Princess. (Note: the seats on the train aren't very comfortable.)
Whale watching, if your mom and aunt can get in and out of a fairly big boat, is wonderful, too.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I´ll be awaiting some great pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteI have no clue Kay but I will be very interested in what others have to say as this kind of trip is on our bucket list.
ReplyDeleteKetchikan is a cute town. We didn't see the Lumberjack Show, but I wonder if the ladies would enjoy it?
ReplyDeleteIf you ride the White Pass Railroad from Skagway, try to sit on the left side (to see more scenery). Our weather was rainy, so the windows fogged up for the 1st part of our ride. Maybe that's why we weren't as impressed by the ride as some people. You can skip Liarsville.
We couldn't ride the Mt. Roberts Tram (incl. trails, views, a free short film) in Juneau, but a friend took good photos from the top. I heard to check the weather before going up. The tram is located near the docks.
I'm getting excited for you! Nancy T.
If you decide on the tram trip, Art could always get a hike in by walking up the mountain. I haven't actually done this but I know of someone who sent her mother and MiL on the tram and she and her husband hiked.
ReplyDeleteAnother great trip!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow I envy you!
EVERYONE loves it - and you will too!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Railroad trip at Skagway is a can't miss...my other half took his elderly parents on this and they had a great time!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, you will have time for the rail trip in Skagway, and we took city trips in the other two citys. We were on board a smaller HAL ship and loved it.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay!
ReplyDeleteoh, I've never imagined going to Alaska! it must be cold? you could see various animals that you don't see usually?
I love the whale watching cruise out of Juneau. We're signed up to take it again when we go in June. We are also going to do the White Pass/Yukon trail trip in Skagway. We're going up by bus and down on the train. There are not as many things to do in Ketchikan. I've seen the lumberjack show, taken a little bus tour, and we are signed up this time for a Duck ride (a funny-looking vehicle that drives on the road and into the water).
ReplyDeleteI'll have my mother (she's 80), my sister, and my two oldest granddaughters (7 and 9) with me so I was looking for excursions that would appeal to all. I'm sure you'll find fun things to do too.
Haven't been but really, really want to go. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteGoogle Reader says that you wrote 32 posts while I was away – my goodness! I only write 4 posts a month – how do you do it? They were all interesting by the way – I read them all. We went on an Alaska cruise in June 2009 with Princess and loved it – I took many pictures – only wrote three posts (click on Alaska on the side of my blog) and still have some more to write. Before I can write all my posts on a trip – since I only write a post a week – I am off to another trip. I still have a lot of photos on Hawaii and posts to write too. Anyway you’ll love Alaska I am sure.
ReplyDeleteDefinately the cable car/tram in Juneau!
ReplyDeleteWe took a helicopter ride and landed on a glacier, and I strongly recommend it for you and Art.
I think you can get horse cab rides in Skagway, or some kind of a guided tour. In Juneau too.
We took a bus trip out to a totem pole park out of Ketchican, I think. It was beautiful but does require some walking, but on level ground and paved paths.
We enjoyed just walking around town in all these places. We were on the Millennium, so we went on some of their side trips, but all of them required either a plane ride or a boat trip. Does the Princess Cruise offer side trips?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all your advice, everybody! That was super helpful! The Princess does offer a whole bunch of side trips, but it's hard to choose which one to purchase. Your comments will help us decide.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your post on this trip is going to help many :)
ReplyDeletetoday's Honolulu Star-Advertiser had an article on Alaska sightseeing (mainly Anchorage)....
ReplyDeletein the comments section, HappyArmyWife wrote....
"Please don't call the Alaska Natives "eskimos" when you see them. While some are, many are not and don't take kindly to it."
Vagabonde: I've been doing a post a day just to see how long I can keep it up. Thank you so much for taking the time to actually go back and read the ones you missed.
ReplyDeleteRonW: I sorta knew that actually. After all, I don't think Sarah Palin is an eskimo or Inuit. :-)
I *WISH* I had Alaska experience to share with you.
ReplyDeleteRemember when Mrs.H drove up to Alaska from Chicago with a friend and camped out?
Have fun! You always do.
Dina: She is one gutsy lady! Tif and KC went to pick tulips for her a couple of weeks ago. Remember those days?
ReplyDelete